How long does a Western Union transfer take in Canada? : A closer look in 2024

Western Union offers both instant transfers and options that can take more than a day . In this article, we’ll look at the money transfer options available at Canada’s Western Union locations, the factors affecting the duration of transfers, and how long Direct to Bank transfers take. We’ll also look at how the Western Union Money in Minutes service works, as well as Wise as a convenient and stress-free alternative for international transfers.

What are the factors impacting the duration of Western Union transfers in Canada?

Western Union transfer times can vary, but what exactly affects these durations?

• The transfer type: If you’ve chosen to use the Money in Minutes service, your money will likely get delivered in a matter of minutes. On the contrary, bill payments and bank deposits could take several days.
• If you’re sending internationally or locally: International transfers often take a longer amount of time to reach the recipient, given that money is traveling further, and currency conversion is involved.
• The payment method: How the transfer is funded could affect the timing of your transfer. For example, bank transfers are typically the slowest, while direct cash deposits can be faster.
• The receiver pick-up method: For cash pick-ups, whether the branch has enough funds to provide could cause delays.
• How large your transfer is: Larger transfers are subject to security checks which can delay the process.
• If you’re sending during or outside business hours: When money is sent outside business hours, it may take a few days to process the transfer.

What are the various money transfer options available at Western Union in Canada?

At Western Union, you aren’t just limited to one or two types of transfer options. Let’s take a look at them below:

• Money in Minutes service: A self-explanatory service—this service lets the recipient receive the money in minutes at any agent location.
• Next day service: Next day payout is only available in certain countries, allowing funds for cash pickup to be available by 7 am the next day. Certain amounts and destinations might have restrictions or cost an extra fee.¹
• Direct to Bank service: This service lets you send money directly to a bank account, and the timing for this will depend on the country the bank is located in.²
• Bill payment: For rent, utilities, or other bills, you can use the website or app to enter the recipient information and choose your payment method or conduct a transfer in person.
• Mobile money transfer: Want to send money to someone’s phone? This transfer method helps you send money to a mobile wallet tied to the recipient’s phone number.

How does the Western Union Money in Minutes service work?

If you’re looking for a fast and direct way to get physical cash to a receiver, the Money in Minutes service is a fantastic method to use. Here’s how it works:

1. Provide the details of your recipient, including their name, location, and contact information.
2. Detail the amount of money to send and choose how you’ll pay for the transfer.
3. Select the right agent location
4. Get your receipt with your tracking number and share the Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN) with your receiver.

To collect the funds successfully, the receiver needs to provide the MTCN, along with a valid piece of ID. In Canada, this could include your passport, a government-issued photo ID, a driver’s license, a Permanent Residence card with a photo, or your health card if you’re in Quebec.³ In other countries, similar IDs will likely be accepted.

How long do Direct to Bank transfers take with Western Union in Canada?

Direct to Bank transfers allow your money to reach its destination almost instantly under certain conditions. Otherwise, Western Union bank transfer times can vary.⁴

For other transfer routes, the time taken could range from a few minutes to up to 5 days.

Meet Wise: a smoother way to send international transfers

While Western Union has certainly stood the test of time, its methods can still feel relatively old-fashioned compared to modern options If you’re sending international transfers, you’re often stuck with various transfer fees and service charges, as well as a markup on the exchange rate—that’s how Western Union makes money from these transfers⁵.

Wise, on the other hand, uses the most transparent rate on the market — the mid-market exchange rate for every transfer. It’s the rate used by banks themselves to trade large amounts of money. What’s more, Wise uses transparent and minimal transfer fees starting at 0.33%^*.

Here’s how much it would cost you to send 1000 USD using Canadian dollars to a friend/family member in the US:

Exchange rate and fees as seen on August 26 at 9:54 am

Note: This comparison ignores Western Union’s promotional rates and fees for new users, to give you a comparative estimation for long-term usage.

How to track money transfers with Western Union from Canada

If your transfer isn’t instantaneous, you’ll naturally want to keep an eye on how it’s doing. Tracking a transfer with Western Union is made easy with the 10-digit tracking number, known as the MTCN. Whether you’re the sender or receiver, you can visit the “Track a Transfer” page and type in the MTCN. If you don't have the number, don’t fret! Head onto the same page and click on “Track a transfer without MTCN.” Here, you can fill out personal or transfer details to browse for your transfer.⁷

Notice your transfer is delayed or taking longer than expected? There could be a few reasons why, including identity verification, detail checking, or bank review. Occasional delays are normal, but if you want to prevent them in the future, make sure you provide accurate contact, bank, and ID details.⁸

How long does it take Western Union to refund a canceled transfer in Canada?

If something goes wrong or your recipient fails to pick up or deposit the transfer, you can cancel it and get refunded. Through the WU app or website, you can go to your recent transfers, click on the transfer you want to cancel, and “Cancel transfer” under “Show details.” It can take up to 7 business days to receive your refund to the original form of payment.⁹

Summing up

Although Western Union has established itself as a mainstay in the world of money transfers, it might not be the most efficient or seamless way to make them—especially internationally. Wise is a fantastic alternative that can offer you more bang for your buck, as well as other features and tools that make local and global money transfers speedier and more convenient.

1 - Western Union - Next Day Services
2 - Western Union - Direct to Bank
3 - Receive money in Canada | Western Union CA
4 - Bank account transfer details Western Union CA
5 - Sending money with Western Union
6 - International Money Transfer | Send Money Abroad with Wise (ex-Wise)
7 - How can I track my money transfer? — WU Canada_CA Help Center
8 - Why is my money transfer on hold or delayed? — WU Canada_CA Help Center
9 - Western Union Canada Help Center - Cancelling Transfers
Sources verified on 17 September 2024